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Land ForcesGermany

Leopard 1A5

Main battle tankFielded 1983Pending verification
Land ForcesDEU
Leopard 1A5
Photo: Ministério da Defesa · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1983
ProliferationAt least 7 countries
ManufacturerKrauss-Maffei Wegmann, Munich, Germany Krupp-MaK, Kiel, GermanyMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.37 m11 ftMed[1]
Combat weight40 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineMTU MB 838 Ca M500Med[1]
Engine power830 hpMed[1]
TransmissionZF 4 HP 250 planetary shifter with hydraulic torque converter; 4 forward/2 reverse gearsMed[1]
Suspensiontorsion bar, 7 road wheels, rear drive (12- tooth sprocket), front idler, 5 shock absorbs (bump travel 9 in/227 mm, rebound travel 5-6 in/128-156 mm), 4 return rollersMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Fording, Unprepared1.20 mMed[1]
Fording, with Preparation2.25 mMed[1]
Fording, with Snorkel4.00 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorGlacis 70 mm at 60-deg: Hull Glacis top 25 mm at 83-deg: Hull nose 70 mm at 55-deg: Hull sides 25-35 mm: Hull rear 25 mm at 88 deg: Hull top 10 mm: Hull bottom 15 mmMed[1]
Turret ArmorTurret mantlet 60 mm; Turret sides 60 mm; Turret rear 60 mm; Turret front 52 mmMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, The Leopard tank could also be fitted with bolt-on polycarbonate (Lexan) armour panels, which have increased the effectiveness of the armour.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYes, collectiveMed[1]
Smoke Equipment2 x 4-barrel 3-in (76-mm) smoke generators, one each side of turretMed[1]
Armament
Secondary armamentHeckler & Koch MG5; 1 x 7.62-mm air defense machine gunMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemKrupp-Atlas EMES-18 FCSMed[1]
Computerized FCSYes, Krupp-Atlas EMES-18 FCSMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
RangefinderTEM 2A optical (Leopard 1A2) turret fully stabilized (A3, A4); retrofit of earlier AEG-Telefunken FLER-H modular hybrid computer (1A4 Krupp-Atlas)Med[1]
Thermal Imaging SystemZeiss thermal-imaging systemMed[1]
Variants
Leopard 1The Leopard project started in November 1956 in order to develop a modern tank, the Standard-Panzer, to replace the Bundeswehr's American-built M47 and M48 Patton tanks, which, though just delivered to West Germany's rec[1]
Leopard 1A1After the first batch was delivered, the next three batches were the Leopard 1A1 model, which included a new gun stabilization system from Cadillac Gage that allowed the tank to fire effectively on the move. The 1A1 also[1]
Leopard 1A2The first 232 tanks of the fifth production batch were delivered as the Leopard 1A2 between 1972 and 1974. The A2 included a heavier and better armoured turret, and therefore did not receive the B&V armour add-ons as did[1]
Leopard 1A3The next 110 vehicles in the fifth batch were fitted with a new welded turret, which was equipped with a new armor consisting of two spaced steel plates with a plastic filling between them (high-hardness armor, and a wed[1]
Leopard 1A4The Leopard 1A4 formed the sixth batch of 250 vehicles, delivery starting in 1974. The 1A4 was externally similar to the 1A3, but included a new computerized fire control system and the new EMES 12A1 sighting system to a[1]
Leopard 1A5In 1980, a research program was undertaken to study further improvements to the Leopard 1, providing it with a completely modern fire control system and fully effective night/bad-weather vision system. The decision was m[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
Projectile105 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
60 rounds, 18 ready in turret (Leopard 1A1)
Armor penetration
INA, Tungsten carbide
Summary

The Leopard (or Leopard 1) is a main battle tank designed and produced by Porsche in West Germany that first entered service in 1965.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
BelgiumChileGermanyDenmarkGreeceItalyUkraine
Sources
  1. Leopard 1A5 German Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (Public domain)